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A local fundraiser gives families a chance to preserve their memories while helping siblings stay together.

Photographer Nakeshia Shannon is offering special family photo sessions Aug. 11 – 12 for a minimum $50 donation in support of LIFEhouse.

LIFEhouse, located in Dacusville, will be a residential safe haven for children of families in crisis.

“I’m a part of Life Church in Dacusville,” Shannon said. “A lot of the families in our church have a heart for foster care.”

Shannon said the church is building a community, starting with one home, that will house children in foster care. The goal is to keep sibling groups together rather than separating them into multiple foster homes.

“Often siblings are already traumatized, and then to break them away from the people they’ve known their whole lives adds more trauma,” she said.

The home currently under construction is the first of eight that will hopefully come to fruition. The cause is near to Shannon’s heart because her mother has been a foster parent for 14 years, serving more than 60 children.

“This is my way of giving back,” Shannon said.

The photo sessions will be held on the church’s property, giving families an opportunity to learn about LIFEhouse.

“The proceeds from the sessions go straight to LIFEhouse,” Shannon said. “I can’t build a house, but I can take pictures and raise money.”